Volunteers make Emigration Canyon Safer

Volunteers make Emigration Canyon Safer

09/22/2013 02:33 PM

EMIGRATION CANYON, Utah (ABC 4 News) - One of the most popular canyons along the Wasatch front is getting a major facelift. On Saturday, more than 125 volunteers rolled up their sleeves to spruce-up Emigration Canyon.

EMIGRATION CANYON, Utah (ABC 4 News) - One of the most popular canyons along the Wasatch front is getting a major facelift. On Saturday, more than 125 volunteers rolled up their sleeves to spruce-up Emigration Canyon.

“Emigration canyon is one of the crown jewels among the Wasatch canyons,” said Patrick Leary, Township Executive for Salt Lake County.

Volunteers planted 1,000 trees native to the area and donated by Utah State’s Extension Program. “The native plants are adapted to this environment, so once we establish them we won’t need to come back and take care of them,” said Leary.

The plants will serve an important purpose-- improving safety. They'll stabilize soils, curb erosion and reduce debris hazardous to those who use the canyon.

“Part of the problem was the debris on the road because bicyclists have to jut around the rocks and we would get motorists that are angry,” said Rick Raile, Emigration Canyon Community Council.

Planting the trees is only part of the work underway in the canyon. The Salt Lake County's $250,000 slope stabilization project will also include cleaning ditches, removing large boulders hanging over the road and widening bike lanes.

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